MEAT PRESERVING.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1919, 30 June 1869, Page 3

MEAT PRESERVING.

(From the Oamaru Touts.)

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the establishment of a meat-preserving factory in this district took place on Saturday at the Northern Hotel, the Hon. J. M'Lean presiding. There were also present the Hon. H. J. Millar, Dr Webster, Mr Ashcroft, M. P.C , Messrs Hassell, W. Fenwick, Gilkison, J. Holmes, Black, Holland, F. Fenwick, E. S. Lees, C. De V. Teschemaker, P. Aitchison, Atkinson, and Locke. Before proceeding to business, the gentlemen present sat downi to a luncheon of preserved mntton-hams and rolled sides Smoked and cured by Messrs Service, Gibson and Co. General satisfaction and not a little surprise were expressed at the excellency of the article, and it appeared to bo the general opinion that meat prepared in this manner would command a ready sale in the Home market as a relish, though scarcely likely to meet with a large demand as a staple article of food for the masses. After the viands had been disposed i of and, duly criticisad, a long conversational discussion ensued as to the best way of preparing meat for the Home maxkot. All present appeared to be agreed as to the desirability of providing some outlet for the surplus stock of the station-holders and by a rough calculation it was shown that in the immediate district there were not loss than 800,000 sheep, and that from 100,000 to 200,000 could be calculated upon as annually available for export trade. Amongst those reckoned upon as likely to send sheep to a central establishment for this purpose weie several runholders on the north side of the Waitaki, and an opinion was unanimously expressed that the restric-

tion as to dipping which now exists, and which would operate to prevent sheep from being crossed, should be at once removed. The chairman stated that no doubt valuable information for their guidance could be obtained from Canterbury, where steps had already been taken for commencing the preservation of meat for export. Mr Tooth had sent out a complete plant capable of preparing 250 sheep per day which he believed had cost at home LIOOO, and also a gentleman as manager who had been engaged in superintending similar works in Turkey. That plant had been sold to the Canterbury Company, and the person referred to had been engaged as manager. He had, therefore, no doubt, that important information could be obtained by writing to Christchurch. Mr Ashcroft said that he had been informed by a brother of Mr Robert Hunter, who had recently arrived from Horae, that a firm in Scotland had recently stated their willingness to start a meat-pre-serving factory in New Zealand, provided they had a guarantee as to a sufficient supply of sheep being forthcoming. He thought it would bo well that the station owners should the matter up, and it was with the view of opening up the question that he had asked the gentlemen present to attend that meeting. Mr Fenwick thought that the matter was of so great importance to the squatters, that they should have an interest in the undertaking, not only pecuniarily but in the way of supervision. After considerable further discussion, Mr Ashcroft moved the following resolutions :—“ 1. That this meeting considers it desirable to encourage the preservation of meat for exportation in this district. 2. That it appears necessary first of all to get skilled labor and knowledge, 3, That to encourage the starting such manufactory, this meeting considers it desirable to guarantee one-half of the capital necessary, providing the whole amount of capital required to preserve 250 sheep at least per diem does not exceed L 5,000. 4. That the best mode of raising the necessary half of capital, viz, L 2,500, is by each sheepowner contributing at the mte of L 4 per thousand sheep owned by him." The insolations were agreed to, and the following undertaking was signed by those present, viz., “ We, the undersigned, agree to subscribe L 4 |iw thousand sheep OAvncd by us towards one-half the capital of a meat-preserving company, if started in the terms of the resolutions passed this day.” On the motion of Mr Fairfax Fenwick, seconded by Dr Webster, Mr Ashcroft was appointed interim secretary ; and he was instructed to write to Christchurch and Melbourne, and to England, to make the necessary enquiries, and also to forward circulars to the runholders within the district, not present, asking their support in the projected undertaking. The meeting then adjourned sine die.